WWE Survivor Series: 5 Future Breakouts

Survivor Series is looming. It is being listed as an event even bigger than WrestleMania 28. The biggest story coming in is The Rock’s impending arrival and return to the squared circle. Yet, while The Rock’s return will cause many viewers to decide to order the show, there are other wrestlers on the verge of a breakthrough.

There are five wrestlers that have been on the cusp of greatness for the past few months. These characters range from disfigured to Youtube stars. There is also a chance that we might see a new World Champion. Survivor Series will culminate with the emergence of a new wave of wrestlers. These are just a few of the men that will carry that wave.

5. Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler was reportedly headed to the main event scene this time last year, only to have a turn of events change those plans. He would become the World Heavyweight champion for a total of 15 minutes. For many wrestlers, this would tarnish their legacy. Dolph, however, saw this as an opportunity to improve.

During the past year he has shown vast improvement in mic skills, making people forget his initial gimmick (in which he would say, "I’m Dolph Ziggler" to wrestlers, cameramen, referees, divas and anyone who would listen).

Dolph would become more versed in submission wrestling, revitalizing the usage of the sleeper hold, and would regain credibility as the United States Champion by defeating Kofi Kingston at the Capitol Punishment event. Ziggler is currently on a losing streak, but it would seem that he is poised for the WWE championship picture as soon as he drops the United States Championship.

A future match with Zack Ryder, where the Long Island Iced Z wins the US belt from Ziggler, would serve to elevate both men.

4. Zack Ryder

Zack Ryder is one of the first self-made wrestlers in quite some time. Ryder was nearly on the future endeavors list (or firing squad), but would gain traction due to his internet show "Z True Long Island Story."

Ryder has shown that he will do whatever it takes to get over. His in-ring skills have vastly improved since he was in a tag team with Curt Hawkins. His breakout moment should have occurred after his five-star match with Christian. His world would come crashing to a halt, however, as soon as his match for the WWE championship with Sheamus ended in a fifteen-second loss.

Ryder would bounce back into credibility right when it seemed he was on his way out. Ryder is seemingly primed for a run at the US Championship. WWE is showing renewed faith in Ryder by making a higher quality entrance video (mainly the one he used when he was Jerry Lawler’s surprise partner), containing segments with John Cena, arguably the biggest star in the WWE and, oddly enough, having Miss Piggy and Kermit use his catchphrase when the Muppets guest hosted Raw.

Ryder has also been giving Ziggler great frustration, defeating him at nearly every corner. The only area in which Ryder has not beaten Ziggler is for the US Championship. Ryder will most likely do this at Survivor Series, or at the very least head a traditional five-man team against a five-man team headed by Ziggler. Their feud should serve to elevate both to a brand new level.

3. Sheamus

Sheamus is currently the No. 3 face in the WWE, however his career could still go to an even higher level. Sheamus has not been a World Heavyweight Champion or WWE Champion since losing it at Night Of Champions 2010 in a six-pack challenge.

Sheamus would then lose credibility when he became King of the Ring, a moment that, in reality, should have elevated him. Sheamus would regain credibility upon being drafted in the 2011 WWE draft. Sheamus recently entered a feud with the soon-to-be World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry, and both men would see their profiles rise.

While Henry is the current World Heavyweight Champion, Sheamus is in a high profile feud with Christian. If Sheamus beats Christian in a five-on-five match, or one-on-one at Survivor Series, Sheamus could take the final step to regaining status as the No. 1 contender.

2. Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes is currently saddled with what could have been a career shattering gimmick. Rhodes has made a gimmick where he wears a face mask, despite having already healed.

Cody Rhodes is this era’s Jake Roberts. He is psychologically adept and can unsettle even the most fearless. His evolution has been a slow process. He started out as a generic tag partner to Hardcore Holly, which culminated in a bland Tag Championship reign. He rose to new heights when he turned on Holly, revealing himself as Ted DiBiase Jr.'s tag partner, and would go on to be a part of Randy Orton’s legacy faction.

Since that time, he has gone from dashing to disfigured and is bringing respectability back to the IC Championship. In past weeks he has defeated Randy Orton on various occasions, and shown that he could very well be on the cusp of greatness.

1. Daniel Bryan

Daniel Bryan was on a losing streak for the last few months, but right before that losing streak he won Money in the Bank, a multi-person ladder match where the winner can cash a prized brief case for either the WWE Championship or World Heavyweight Championship at any time.

Daniel Bryan had been one of the more quiet winners until recently. Bryan has had great success prior to entering the WWE, and even in the WWE, as a former US Champion and possesses a great rivalry with The Miz.

Bryan is reentering the main picture. On this week's Smackdown, Bryan lost a match to Mark Henry by disqualification, due to interference by the Big Show. Afterwards, Daniel Bryan threatened to cash in. While he did not, if Mark Henry and Big Show have a match at Survivor Series similar to their prior matches, than Bryan could easily cash in and regain elite status.